Domestic drug manufacturing begins next year

Health Minister Rajitha Senarathne recently visited the drug manufacturing companies which have entered into agreements with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) to domestically manufacture the necessary drug for the country by 2019.

Accordingly, the minster visited the ‘Navesta’ factory in Horana and the ‘Stregen” factory in Thalgahawila road, Horana. The vaccine manufacturing ‘Navesta’ company will begin its work next May while ‘Stregen’ is to manufacture 10 essential drug items.

During the discussions, the minister Senarathne added that ten companies would begin drug manufacturing in Sri Lanka by 2018. He also assured to jointly discuss the problems pertaining to those companies with the Ministries of Finance, Mahaweli Development and Environment, and Provincial Council and Local government.

“22 companies have signed agreements with SPC for the local drug manufacturing under the government’s new drug policy. It is my aim to domestically manufacture all the necessary drug items by 2019. It will save more than Rs.6 billion. Our plan is to make Sri Lanka the drug manufacturing hub in South Asia”, minister said.

(Government News Portal)